You won't find a Grinch in the Indie Community: Giftapalooza 2014

Today I have witnessed something that is nothing short of a miracle.  I've been hearing about Giftapalooza 2014 for months and I had a feeling it would be something big.  But let me tell you I had NO idea just how big it could be.

Author T.E. Ridener has been promoting the cause for months.  She is the co-creator and co-owner of a web-based charity called Random Acts of Christmas and she created Giftapalooza to get her fellow authors and all of their readers, like me, involved with giving to the less fortunate during Christmas.  Their biggest target is children and making sure they have presents to unwrap on Christmas morning when they otherwise wouldn't have them.  Sometimes it's because parents are sick, someone is laid off from work, or money is just tight.  Either way, RAoC exists to help out.

Today, as I said, I witnessed something incredible.  The whistles sounded at 9 AM and she posted the first wishlist for a little boy, 7 years of age.  Within an hour readers and authors had purchased 4 gifts off his wishlist. That was pretty awesome, but it gets better.

She then posted a wishlist for a little girl and low and behold, more gifts were bought.  Five if I remember correctly.

Two more wishlists were posted and more gifts were purchased, but here's my favorite part.

We travel back to wishlist number one.  A pretty awesome little guy who had a few small things on his list and one BIG thing.  Do you know what that one big thing was?   A wii.

So, in natural Ridener fashion--which I have learned over the last month or so--T.E. asked for gift card donations to get him the game system every kid deserves in their young lives. (Not necessarily a Wii, but a game system in general) and do you know what happened?  They were able to raise the $192.99 needed within 3 hours.

I was floored watching this miracle take place.  I have never been around such altruistic people in my life.  The readers and authors within the indie community are seriously amazing people and I am proud to be a part of this.  

I should also mention that the 'Santas' are receiving thank-you gifts. These gifts are donated by authors and bloggers from around the world.  Colleen Hoover donated 5 paperbacks which went quickly (no surprise there), and there are loads more ebooks, paperbacks, gift cards, and swag awaiting new homes.

In the first day of Giftapalooza they have given over $600 in toys and they show no signs of slowing down.  I am damn proud of everybody getting involved to help out children in need.

You can check out Giftapalooza by clicking here.  Get involved. Help a kid in need.  Get help for your kid if you need it.  Let's show the world what we're made of and make a difference for some small human being out there.